How would you react? Would you rip your eyes from the disaster swirling at your feet on a chance you’d survive?

That’s exactly what God called His people to do in Numbers 21:1-9. They had complained against Moses and the provision of the manna God provided for them to eat. God sent judgment in the form of fiery serpents and many Israelites died.

The people cried out from the middle of the increasing body count and confessed their sin of speaking against the Lord and against Moses. They asked Moses to intercede with the Lord to remove the serpents. Moses petitioned and God answered.

However, God didn’t wave His arm and make the serpents vanish. He didn’t tell them to form a committee on snake extermination, nor did He send them to Poison Control for an anti-venom injection. No. He provided a way of escape.

God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and place it on a standard in the midst of the people. The Lord said those who were bitten could look to the bronze serpent and live. But each one of them had to choose—accept God’s only provision or reject it.

Noxious deceptions speak against God everyday. We’ve grown accustomed to, even comfortable with the hissing of the serpent’s lies, giving them pet names like “right to choose” or “alternate life style” or “entitlement.” These perversions bare their fangs and inject the poison of duplicity into our families, our churches, and, our children are the ultimate target and their prize.

The issues of today? Snakes that speak against God, as we sit mesmerized by their lies. Our eyes riveted and our minds sedated with fear, unable to discern the eternal consequences of living alongside these thrashing snares.

Have addictions, anger, adultery or any of the long list of the serpent’s lies painted a bulls eye on your backside?

God still offers life. He shouts—“Look to the cross! Trust Jesus to heal you.” But we remain apathetic and prideful, listening to the whispers of dissimulation rather than looking to and choosing the only way—God’s mercy and grace—paid for by the blood of The Lamb.

The power to break sin’s evil, hypnotic stranglehold comes through the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. That power is given again and again when I repent and consider the legacy I am leaving to my children and return to walk in obedience to the Word.

I must seek God’s truth. I must know His truth. I must love His truth. And I must be so rooted and grounded in the Word of God that at the first ping of evil, a dissonant chord will chime in my heart and I will make the choice to agree with and obey Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:14-17 NAS).

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2 Responses

Wonderfully written and a powerful reminder of the power of God and the “truth that sets us free!” How grateful I am that God provided a Way through the Lord Jesus. That I’ve not been left to the punishment I deserve for breaking His laws! Grace, grace, God’s grace!!!!

Love those old testament stories. The word of God which is contained in old & new testament is the only rule to direct us how to glorify God & enjoy Him. We can choose our sin, but not the consequences. Like as the Israelites, God will not tolerate sin He must deal with it. If He would’nt tolerate them, as children of God what makes us think He will allow us to go unpunished. “An awareness of God’s holiness drives us to acknowledge our sin & receive God’s forgiveness.” Thank you for a reminder that God always has plan & a solution for man’s prIde & disobedience, if he will only listen & respond to His amazing grace. ” Humility is the displacement of self & the enthronement of Christ . Humility means Christ is all & self is nothing.” – T.A. Hegre. (Luke 14:11).

DiAne is an artist, writer, photographer, and GriefShare facilitator who also leads an adult edit group for North Texas Christian Writers, LifeSavers is for adults who are serious about their writing skills.
DiAne's YA novel "Roped" released by Prism Book Group was named a YA finalist for the Grace Awards, finaled in The Christian Literary Henri Awards for 2016, and was named #5 in The Top Ten Christian Reads for Teens and Tweens 2016.
The second book, TWISTED, in the Roped Series was released by Pelican Book Group, July 14, 2017. Both are available on Amazon.com. Be sure to check DiAne's blog, "Moving the Ancient Boundaries" at https://dianegates.wordpress.com/